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Van Build - Battery Question

Matt Hardy

Matt Hardy

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Hi Yall, I am building out a production van and trying to wrap my head around how many house batteries I will need an the correct number of watts to bring in on Solar panels. I want to be able to work remotely for up to 3 days while powering led lights, fridge, vent, water pump, raid system and charging my computer, and Red Bricks.

Most people do 2, 6V batteries to create a 12V house battery and pump 200-700 watts of solar in to these. I am thinking of 2 12v deep cycle AGM batteries with 400 watts of solar. Any input or advice?
 
Just do the math on the amp hours and double it. For what you are talking about it's sounding like a lot more than 2 batts. I have what you describe on my boat, and I don't expect to run more than LED interior lights and Nav lights.

Nick
 
I ended up getting two 12v 360 ah batteries to make a bank of 700ah. Then I ha e 540 watts of solar. Now trying to figure out how’ve many ah will be drained from battery bank charging 1 red brick through the inverter.
 
I put 4 12v Deep Cycle batteries in a metal cage under my Sprinter van with an 1800w inverter. It doesn't last as long as you'd hope. Be aware that going DC to AC and back to DC (most chargers have internal transformers) is not very efficient. YMMV.

Cheers - #19
 
Blair S. Paulsen said:
I put 4 12v Deep Cycle batteries in a metal cage under my Sprinter van with an 1800w inverter. It doesn't last as long as you'd hope. Be aware that going DC to AC and back to DC (most chargers have internal transformers) is not very efficient. YMMV.

Cheers - #19
Click to expand...

Blair,

I know it's not efficient to convert back and forth through Inverter, but RED doesn't sell the DC cable for the Red Brick charger anymore due to problems it had regulating current. Anyone know more about charging red bricks off of DC with no inverter?
 
I actually carry two Honda 2000i, sine wave putt-putt gennies in my van and just set them on the ground nearby when the situation allows. They're about $900USD each and can even be cabled together to create a 40AMP source.

Cheers - #19
 
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